Sandal with an interchangeable decorative strap

ABSTRACT

A sandal comprises a sole, a first strap having a first end, a second end and at least one first magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends, each of the first and second ends mounted to the sole at a predetermined position such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, and a second strap having a first end, a second end and at least second magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends corresponding to the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strip by a magnetic attraction force generated between the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the corresponding at least one second magnetic member of the second strap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to footwear, and more particularly, to a sandal having an interchangeable decorative strap and various fastening means for releasably attaching same to a foot retaining strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Footwear with style designs is very popular, particularly, among young people and sport fans. Usually, if an individual desires to have different style designs of footwear, the individual must purchase a variety of footwear with his/her favorite style designs such as different logos and decals. However, the accumulation of footwear with favorite logos and decals attached thereto becomes prohibitively expensive and space-consuming, thereby limiting the amount of footwear that may be purchased. Thus, it would gain a great deal of interest if footwear with a number of interchangeable style designs or decorative patches that are inexpensive, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing is available.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need still exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a sandal. In one embodiment, the sandal includes a sole, a first strap having a first end, a second end and at least one first magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends, each of the first and second ends mounted to the sole at a predetermined position such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, and a second strap having a first end, a second end and at least second magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends corresponding to the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strip by a magnetic attraction force generated between the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the corresponding at least one second magnetic member of the second strap.

In one embodiment, the first strap further includes a first layer and a second layer, and the at least one first magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers. The second strap further includes a first layer and a second layer, and the at least one second magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers. The second layer may have a decorative pattern. When attached, the first layer of the second strip is substantially in contact with the second layer of the first strap.

One of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material, while the other of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetically attractable metal.

Additionally, the sandal may also have a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole at a predetermined position and an opposite, second end secured to a central portion of the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a sandal. In one embodiment, the sandal has a sole, a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface, and a snap fastener having a plurality of sockets and a plurality of studs corresponding to the plurality of sockets, wherein the plurality of sockets is mounted to one of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap, while the plurality of studs is mounted to the other of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by snapping the plurality of studs into the corresponding sockets.

The sandal further has a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot.

In one embodiment, the first strap has a size, and the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap. Each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. Each of the plurality of sockets and the plurality of studs is made of metal or plastic.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a sandal. In one embodiment, the sandal has a sole, a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein, a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface, and a zip fastener having at least one protrusion and at least one groove adapted for receiving the at least one protrusion, wherein one of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the second surface of the first strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the first strap, while the other of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the first surface of the second strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by zipping the at least one protrusion into the at least one groove.

Furthermore, the sandal has a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot.

In one embodiment, the first strap has a size, and the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap. Each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them. In one embodiment, the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove are formed of plastic.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a sandal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows schematically an exploded view of the sandal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows schematically a partially exploded view of a foot retaining strap and a decorative strap of the sandal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows schematically a sandal according to another embodiment of the present invention, (a) an exploded view, (b) a cross-sectional view along A-A′ and (b) a cross-sectional view along B-B′;

FIG. 5 shows schematically a sandal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, (a) an exploded view, (b) a cross-sectional view along A-A′ and (b) a cross-sectional view along B-B′;

FIG. 6 shows schematically a zip fastener using a sandal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows schematically a sandal according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 shows schematically a sandal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around”, “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-8. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to a sandal.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the sandal 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sandal 100 includes a sole 110 having a first surface 111 and an opposite, second surface 112 defining a sole body 113 therebetween. The sole 110 also has a pair of apertures 114 and a third aperture 115 formed in the sole body 113. The first surface 111 of the sole 110 is generally formed with rough profile for traction. The second surface 112 of the sole 110 can be a planer or a curved surface complementary to a bottom profile of a foot of a user for support of the foot. In this exemplary embodiment, the sole 110 is formed in a single layer. The sole 110 can also be formed in multiple layers.

The sandal 100 also includes a first strap 120 having a first end 128, a second end 129. The first end 128 and the second end 129 are mounted to the sole 110 through the pair of apertures 114 such that the first strap 120 and the sole 110 define an opening 180 for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein. As shown in FIG. 3( a), the first strap 120 includes a first layer 121 having a first surface 122 and an opposite, second surface 132, a second layer 125 having a first surface 126 and an opposite, second surface 127, and four pieces of a first magnetic member 161 deposed between the second surface 123 of the first layer 121 and the first surface 126 of the second surface 125 and positioned between the first end 128 and the second end 189. Other numbers of the first magnetic member 161 can also be utilized to practice the present invention.

The first layer 121 and the second layer 125 of the first strap 120 are formed of materials such that the first strap 120 is flexible. Preferably, the first layer 121 of the first strap 120 is formed of fabric, leather or plastic, while the second layer 125 is formed of fabric.

Furthermore, the sandal 100 includes a second strap 130 having a first end 138, a second end 139 and four pieces of a second magnetic member 162 positioned between the first end 138 and the second end 139. FIG. 3( b), the second strap 130 includes a first layer 131 having a first surface 132 and an opposite, second surface 132, a second layer 135 having a first surface 136 and an opposite, second surface 137, and the four pieces of the second magnetic member 161 deposed between the second surface 133 of the first layer 131 and the first surface 136 of the second surface 135. The four pieces of the second magnetic member 162 are corresponding to the four pieces of the first magnetic member 161 of the first strap 120. It is obvious to people skilled in the art that other numbers of the second magnetic member 162 can also be utilized to practice the present invention.

The first layer 131 and the second layer 135 of the first strap 130 are formed of materials such that the second strap 130 is flexible. Preferably, the first layer 131 of the first strap 130 is formed of fabric, while the second layer 135 is formed of fabric, leather or plastic. Additionally, a decorative pattern 140, ornament 142, logo and/or the like is formed on the second surface 137 of the second strap 130.

According to the present invention, the first magnetic member 161 of the first strap 120 is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material and the second magnetic member 162 of the second strap 130 is made of a magnetically attractable metal, or the second magnetic member 162 of the second strap 130 is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material and the first magnetic member 161 of the first strap 120 is made of a magnetically attractable metal.

For such a configuration, the second strap 130 is releasably attachable to the first strip 120 by a magnetic attraction force generated between the first magnetic member 161 of the first strap 120 and the corresponding second magnetic member 162 of the second strap 130. In practice, when the second strap 130 is brought to close enough to the first strap 120, the magnetic attraction force will cause the second strap 130 to be attached to the first strap 120. When attached, the first layer 131 of the second strip 130 is substantially in contact with the second layer 125 of the first strap 120. The attached second strap 130 is releasable by simply pulling up the second strap from the first strap 120.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sandal 100 also has a toe end member 150 having a first end mounted to the third aperture 115 of the sole 110 and an opposite, second end secured to a central portion 124 of the first strap 120 such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening 180, the toe end member 150 is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. The toe end member 150 is formed with fabric ribbons or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a sandal 200 is shown according to another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the sandal 100 shown in FIG. 1, the sandal 200 has a sole 210, a first strip 220 and a second strap 230. However, the second strap 230 of the sandal 200 is releasably attached to the first strap 220 by a snap fastener.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first strap 220 has a first surface 221 and an opposite, second surface 222 defining a first strap body 223 therebetween. The first strap 220 is mounted to the sole such that the first strap 220 and the sole 230 define an opening 280 for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein. The second strap 230 has a first surface 231 and an opposite, second surface 232 defining a second strap body 233 therebetween, and a decorative pattern 240 formed on the second surface 232. The first strap 220 has a size, and the second strap 230 has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap 220. Each of the first strap 220 and the second strap 230 is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them.

The snap fastener has a plurality of sockets 261 and a plurality of studs 262 corresponding to the plurality of sockets 261. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of sockets 261 is mounted to the second surface 222 of the first strap 220, while the plurality of studs 262 is mounted to the first surface 231 of the second strap 230. In another embodiment, the plurality of sockets 261 is mounted to the first surface 231 of the second strap 230 and the plurality of studs 262 is mounted to the second surface 222 of the first strap 220. Each of the plurality of sockets 261 and the plurality of studs 262 is made of metal or plastic.

Accordingly, for such a sandal 200, the second strap 230 is releasably attachable to the first strap 220 by snapping the plurality of studs 262 into the corresponding sockets 261.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a sandal 300. Similar to the sandal 100 shown in FIG. 1, the sandal 300 has a sole 310, a first strip 320 and a second strap 230. However, the second strap 330 of the sandal 300 is releasably attached to the first strap 220 by a zip-type fastener 360.

The first strap 320 has a first surface 321 and an opposite, second surface 322 defining a first strap body 323 therebetween. The first strap 320 is mounted to the sole 310 such that the first strap 320 and the sole 310 define an opening 380 for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein. The second strap 330 has a first surface 331 and an opposite, second surface 332 defining a second strap body 333 therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface 332. The first strap 320 is adapted for retaining the foot, and the second strap 330 is corresponding to a decorative strap. In one embodiment, the first strap 320 has a size, and the second strap 330 has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap 320. Each of the first strap 320 and the second strap 330 is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them.

The zip-type fastener 360 has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of grooves adapted for receiving the plurality of protrusions. In this exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the zip-type fastener 360 has a first panel 361 and a second panel 365. Each panel 363/365 has a plurality of protrusions 362/366 spatially formed on the panel 363/365 and extends from a first end to a second end of the panel 363/365. Each panel 363/365 also has a plurality of grooves 363/367. Each grooves 363/367 is defined by a pair of two neighboring protrusions 362/366. Each of the plurality of protrusions 362/366 has a cross-sectional profile such that the groove 363/367 defined by such two protrusions 362/366 has a complementary profile to the profile of the protrusion 362/366. As shown in FIGS. 5( b) and 5(c), the size of the distal end portion of the protrusion 362/366 is larger than the size of the bottom portion of the protrusion 362/366. Accordingly, when a protrusion 362/366 is received in a groove 363/367, the groove 363/367 accommodates the protrusion 362/366 tightly and securely. In other words, when received, the protrusion 362/366 is locked in the groove 363/367. The zip-type fastener 360 is formed of plastic.

In assembly, the first panel 361 is attached to the second surface 321 of the first strap 320 and the second panel 365 is attached to the first surface 331 of the second strap 330, respectively, such that the plurality of protrusions 362/366 and the a plurality of grooves 363/367 extend from the first end portions to the second end portions of the first strap 320 and the second strap 330.

Accordingly, the second strap 330 is releasably attachable to the first strap 320 by zipping the protrusions 362/366 into the corresponding grooves 363/367.

Additionally, the zip-type fastener can also be formed in other form. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the zip-type fastener 460 has a first panel 461 and a second panel 465 attached to a first strap 420 and a second strap 430 of a sandal, respectively. The first panel 361 has a protrusion 462 with a cross-sectional profile of a mushroom and a lock member 463 having a groove 464 for receiving a protrusion 466 of the second panel 465 and locking it therein. The second panel 465 has the protrusion 466 with a cross-sectional profile of a mushroom and a lock member 467 having a groove 468 for receiving the protrusion 462 of the first panel 461 and locking it therein. Similarly, the second strap 430 is releasably attachable to the first strap 420 by the zip fastener 460.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another two embodiments of a sandal according to the present invention. In each embodiment, the second (decorative) strap 530/630 is detachably attachable to the first (foot retaining) strap 520/620 by the magnet means, the snap fastener or the zip fastener as disclosed above.

In sum, the present invention, among other things, discloses a sandal having a first strap mounted to a sole for retaining a foot of a user, and a second (decorative) strap that is releasably attachable to the first strap by different fastening means such as the magnet means, the snap fastener and the zip fastener.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein. 

1. A sandal, comprising: (a) a sole; (b) a first strap having a first end, a second end and at least one first magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends, each of the first and second ends mounted to the sole at a predetermined position such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein; and (c) a second strap having a first end, a second end and at least second magnetic member positioned between the first and second ends corresponding to the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strip by a magnetic attraction force generated between the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the corresponding at least one second magnetic member of the second strap.
 2. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the first strap further has a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the at least one first magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers.
 3. The sandal of claim 1, wherein the second strap further has a first layer and a second layer, wherein the at least one second magnetic member is formed between the first and second layers, wherein the second layer comprises a decorative pattern, and wherein when attached, the first layer of the second strip is substantially in contact with the second layer of the first strap.
 4. The sandal of claim 1, wherein one of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetic or ferro-magnetic material, and wherein the other of the at least one first magnetic member of the first strap and the at least one second magnetic member of the second strap is made of a magnetically attractable metal.
 5. The sandal of claim 1, further comprising a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole at a predetermined position and an opposite, second end secured to a central portion of the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot.
 6. A sandal, comprising: (a) a sole; (b) a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein; (c) a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface; and (d) a snap fastener having a plurality of sockets and a plurality of studs corresponding to the plurality of sockets, wherein the plurality of sockets is mounted to one of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap, while the plurality of studs is mounted to the other of the second surface of the first strap and the first surface of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by snapping the plurality of studs into the corresponding sockets.
 7. The sandal of claim 6, wherein the first strap has a size, and wherein the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap.
 8. The sandal of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them.
 9. The sandal of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of sockets and the plurality of studs is made of metal or plastic.
 10. The sandal of claim 6, further comprising a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot.
 11. A sandal, comprising: (a) a sole; (b) a first strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a first strap body therebetween, and mounted to the sole such that the first strap and the sole define an opening for receiving a foot of a user and retaining the foot therein; (c) a second strap having a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a second strap body therebetween, and a decorative pattern formed on the second surface; and (d) a zip fastener having at least one protrusion and at least one groove adapted for receiving the at least one protrusion, wherein one of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the second surface of the first strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the first strap, while the other of the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove is formed on the first surface of the second strap and extends from a first end portion to a second end portion of the second strap such that the second strap is releasably attachable to the first strap by zipping the at least one protrusion into the at least one groove.
 12. The sandal of claim 11, wherein the first strap has a size, and wherein the second strap has a size that is corresponding to the size of the first strap.
 13. The sandal of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second straps is flexible and is made of fabric, leather, plastic or a combination of them.
 14. The sandal of claim 11, wherein the at least one protrusion and the at least one groove are formed of plastic.
 15. The sandal of claim 11, further comprising a toe end member having a first end mounted to the sole and an opposite, second end secured to the first strap such that when the foot is received and retained in the opening, the toe end member is positioned between the innermost toe and the index toe of the foot. 